Needle-protector and let-off for knitting-machines.



P, WILGOMB. NEEDLE PROTECTOR mm LET-OFF FOR KNITTING meemes. AEPLIGATION FILBI: F3316, 1909. RENEWED NOV. 29, 1912.

Lfi q'yg Patented. Feb. 25, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEBT l.

F, WILOOMB.

R AND L ET-OFF FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

GTO

APPLIDATION FILED FEB. 16, 1909. RENEW LG54A7Q.

NEEDLE PROTB ED NOV. 29,1912.-

Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

2 SHEETSSHBET Z.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK WI ILOOM B, OF NORRIS'I'OWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILCOMB MACHINE COMPANY, OF NORBISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

NEEDLE-PROTECTOR AND LET-OFF FOR KNITTING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25,1913.

Application tiled February 16, 1909, Serial No. 478,18f. Renewed November 29, 1912. Serial No. 784,195.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK Wincoun, citizen of the United States, residing at Norristown, Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Needle-Protectors and Let-Ufi's for Knitting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to needle protectors and let-otl' mechanism for knitting machines, and it consists in the features and combination and arrangement of arts hereinmter described and particulary pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a plan of a part of a knitting head of the circular type with my needle protector and let-otl' mechanism applied thereto. the main driving clutch being in released position; Fig. 2 is a side view of part of the milling head with my invention applied thereto, and the main clutch set in driving position; Fig. 3 is a detail lan view of the et-oil supporting bracket; igs. 4 and I) are detail views of an operating connection between the needle protector and the let-oft" Fig. 0 is a detail view; Fig. 7 is adetaii view of a slip connection between the let-oil and brake mechanism; Fig. 8 is a detail view of an oil box in the let-oil supporting bracket; Fig. i) is a detail view of one of the connecting arms.

The needle protector is arranged on the cam plate 48 of the knitting head shown conventionally at 4!), and it comprises a horizontal rod 50 slidably and rotatably mounted in a bracket I'll secured to said plate, and having a finger I32 held by a screw at. its inner end and dc )ending c oso to the fabric, to be engaged by amps, snarls, or foreign substances on the fabric.

The rod-is pressed inwardly when released by a spring 53 bcarin at one end, on a collar loose on the rod, mt held against the bracket 51, and at its other end upon a collar 54 which engages with the shank of the protector extending a through the rod. This bracket is preferably. formed in one piece with an outer and an innerstandard portion separated from each other by a space.

The rod is normally held outwardly to )roperly position the detector fin er in reation to the needles and fabric y a pin 55 carried by a fin or piece or handle 56 screwed onto the red, the said pi'n bearing u on the inner standard of the bracket, but, w on the rod is rotated by the detector finger being struck by an obstruction, the pin is brou ht opposite a slot or groove 57 in the brac (ct, and the rod is then free to move inwardly allowing the detector to move away from the needles and clear of the obstruction. The rotation of the rod due to engagement of the obstruction operates or releases connections extending to the let-off. For this purpose the rod is provided with a head 58 having a cam shaped face formed by cutting away part of its cylindrical side forming a flat portion. and leaving an upwardly projecting lip 59 forming a catch for a finger (30, which is connected to a vertical rock shaft (31 supported in a standard 62 fixed to the stationary part of the knittin head. The rock shaft is under tension 0 a spring (33, one end of which is fixed at (34 to the bracket, the upper end being fixed to a collar (15 which may be turned on the rock shaft for adjusting the tension of the spring, and then set by a screw (30. When, now, the detector is operated and the cam head 58 turned, its cam shaped face will lift the finger ()0 (which is pivoted to the rock shaft at (37 and under tension of a spring ()8 through a collar (30) and it will be released from the catch lip 59, and the spring 8 will then turn the vertical rock shaft (ii and, through the connections now to be described, the let off will be operated.

The lower end of the rock shaft carries a disk or wheel 70 made 11) of upper and lower parts with a space ictwecn them to admit a rod 41 which is held by a screw 72 to a pin 73 journalcd in the said upper and lower parts of the disk, the pin scrvingto attach the rod to the disk pivotally and the rod, in turn, serving to hold the pin in its bearings.

The disk or wheel is loosely mounted on a sleeve 74 which is held to the rock shaft (31. h a key 75 seated in a slot 76 in the end of t is rock shaft, where it is held by a nut 77, the said key engaging a notch 78 in the sleeve.

The key projects sutliciently to afford engager'nent with the hub of the disk which is notched at 79 to allow the disk to have a BEST AVAILABLE cos certain amount of free movement. The parts are shown assembled in Fig. 4 and dis laced in Fig. 5.

1 s shown in Fig. 1, in a multiple feed machine I employ a number of these needle protectors, on y one of which is shown complete, distributed about the needle circle and their disks just described are connected together through the rods 71 which extend from disk to disk about the knitting head, and by reason of the loose mounting of the disks by means of the notch 79 and key 75, any one of the detectors, when operated, will cause the actuation of the connections lending to the let-off independently of the other detectors, though they each transmit their motion, when operated, through a common connector. This connector common to all the detectors consists of the rod 80 connected with an arm 81 fixed to one of the disks. and extending to a detent 82 which is pivoted to an arm or block 83 in turn pivoted to the bracket 84 of the let-off mechanism. 'l'his detent restrains an arm or lever 85 (dotted lines. Fig. 2), and this lever controls the let-off clutch. This clutch comprises a clutch member 86 fixed on the driving shaft 87, and a clutch member 88 fixed to the drive mlley 8f) slidably mounted on the shaft; the clutch fork 90 en ages a grooved collar 91 fixed to the pa] ey, and this clutch fork is under tension of a spring 92 pocketed in the bracket 84 and exerting its force throu h a rod 03 to slide the pulle' along the sha t, and withdraw its clutch member from the fixed clutch member. The controlling lever or arm 85 is fixed on a rock shaft 9-1 ournaletl in the bracket84,and said rock shu t is connected with the clutch fork 00 through an arm or brake detent 95 fixed to the said rock shaft and connected by a link 06 with a late or arm 97 on a rock shaft 08 journaled in the bracket 84, said arm being in turn connected with the clutch fork by a link 08. The controllin v arm is under tension of a spring 00. ion the needle protector is operated and the detent 82 is thereby withdrawn from the controlling arm, the spring )0 will turn the controlling arm 85 and the rock shaft 04, and through the link 00 the arm 97 will be turned by this spring pressure sufficiently to throw the pivot of the link 98' below the center line of the rock shaft 98 and the clutch fork pivot 101 (said pivot being above said line when the parts are clutched to drive the machine) and this will permit the main spring 92 to come into action to move the pn ley along the shaft and release the clutch, thus stopping the machine.

The relation of the pivots 100 and 101 and the center of the rock shaft 98 is such that, when the parts are clutched, the ivot 100 will be above the center line 0 the points '98 and 101, and the force of the spring 02 will act to hold the parts securely, but when the pivot 100 is thrown below the said center line, and not till then, will the spring 92 be called into action.

Power is communicated to the working parts of the knitting head from the drive shaft 87 through the bevel gear 102 fixed thereon, and a bevel gear 103 through a friction clutch now to be described. The gear 103 is secured to a loose sleeve 101 on an upright shaft. 105 which, at its upper end, has gears for driving the rotary parts or the machine. one of such gears beim shown at 100. The sleeve and upright sha t turn in a bearing 107 formed integrally with the bracket- 84, and extending into a cavity of the machine standard, the bracket beiw secured, as at 108, to the said standart. 'lhe loose sleeve, at its lower end, has a conical cnlar ement 110, and below this end, fixed to the s mft by a pin 10!), is a cone 111. Friction clutch rings 112 and 113 engage these cones, respectively, and these rings or shoes are connected by pins 114 and 115, the former of which is fixed to the lower cone and has sliding connection with the upper cone, and the other is screwed into the upper cone and is pressed upon by a spring 116 pocketed in the lower cone, which spring draws the friction shoes or clutch members upon the upper and lower cones with a yielding pressure, so that the motion of the sleeve and upper cone is transmitted to the lower cone. This driving clutch is also employed by me as a brake, and for this purpose I have associated therewith a brake disk or member 117 which lies between the cones, surrounds the upright shaft and is carried around by the pins ll-l and 115. The periphery of this brake disk is toothed as at 118 to is engaged by the brake lover or arm 95 before mentioned, this being fixed to the rock shaft f)-'l so that after the main driving clutch is released by sliding the drive pulley along its shaft, the brako'arm is thrown to engage the tooth of the brake disk to hold the same against rotation, and the friction drive clutch will be immediately converted into a brake by the friction clutch members now held stationary acting upon the cones. in order to prevent the brake from beim thrown into action before. the main clutch is released, 1 provide on the rock shaft 98 a locking member or brake cont-roller consisting of a segmental disk having a circular )eriphcry and a flat side, and I also provide a restraining arm or lever 120 fixed to the rock shaft 9 1.

Now, when the detector is operated and the sprin pressed controlling arm 85, with its rock s tuft 04, is released, the brake restraining-arm 120 will be moved also, but it will be arrested as soon as the main spring ltlfi lto 5 arm and controlling restraining arm to fell 01.. of

the spring 99 to lC-lHQW the bitehold the same againet IIEOYGE'H ill, and thus ing zit-m comes to rest.

I which the main clutch that this restraining BEST AVAILABLE C9? 92 brought into action K. I clutch this arresting action b the restraining arm striki peliplieyy of the control at segnie' and controller 119 have been turned to bliil the letters s1 to the i'csti'atni 120 anal thus ulloii'ing the end of periphery necessary F .A c EtcllOn. Oi

of the controller and new tn amount of movement under t engagement with the toothed b e the it will be obsers'etl that both the c nti'cllei' 119 and Elie arm 9'2. to which the links or rods SS -9S" I to the reel: shaft and after releases the controlling arm restraining arm 12% setagaiinst the pcv ripliery of 'tle controller segment 119, the said arm 97 together with the controller 119 which ei e attached to the same 5 I, must continue their movement While the l i'elease o? the Kain clutch is einq accoin 1 plislietl, am; it purpo liereinaftet .rt iii-ave ptoi'itletl a slip joint comics etween the restmlz 6t 120 and the li; g or 1O(l this 0021 of pin 1'21 extending between tli the arm 95 and liming an openii which the link 96 sligs to permit with a heat} to 1 l drawn clown by the 1mm nient tlereot After the clutch llfiS been in and the brzike'set, the upiver ew restraining arm 01' lEYJQ 190 in contact with the fiat face 0 119, and to the lo the rock shaft 98- e1 5 i'clcesc't. E oi the l?! lies below and 1 the OllLl' I it of the MA center 0? 1 restraining arm acts a the same re i -teed: eno.

totlie same rock slia main controlling an land held from it spect' to the clut l1 setting the detector crate, tl atis, by tln'o clutch can of} llHUWIl i 7 devices oi, 1 operation i smie of lie lever be 21ml tletcut "lion r clietl to lllQQOCli left. the liiilt 9t; sli I (luring this 9.0- l'izi, through the gain 7 and by operating alle ilic clntcli can l)0 disengaged. Le let-ntl' putts. including the connec 211 the tlctent 82 to the clutch i tied by the l'tlt'lifil Sal vliicli uleo to the drive shaft and lliS the ineitling bearing .10? for the up- :iiiitl sleeve. This racket, tul: the leti eminectior l ZSCZll GLl l 12ft, cltttcli, bnltc controlling means aim bearing for the vertical Slit t This bracket also carries an oil pocket 125 lit up 126. The tlllC-E! sliatt is ctl 127 and 129, these lmaliings haw o i1;;'- 121) on illOll UlltlGl sides by i may rczurlt the shaft grooves formed in the bushing For tlio pt age of the oil from Hill to oinl ot the bushing These bushings: ere llBlCl in place by sue z and they have oil holes in their Gil is 'l Pll ,into the pocket tip-Qlllllg 13.1.

with my type of machine liming an inner Dresser. lieverting to (lie detector linger 51ml the ly a rmtc therewith. lo the lel'9(:t 7l"ilnj1l' engages Witn :1 l'mncn All UZ knot in the f-gtliiic And the toil tliscngngiaig tl e latch 31 from i 1 allowing the lnii? ()1 to it o zeiz spring 3 than free to the pin 53 ciiiet l) llili movemen i l- "115: ("ma-lit the detect 11* on Withey have been i'eti'zictctl. This; niovee 11ml 5!; (lees not ha e an cll'ect me Oi o the (:lmtimtiont mated part2; l

knitting mncc removed or replaced 213 one body.

Jive shown my intention in connection.

l" which are El 1m i'cti'wctctl (lire j under the PM but which admin t the center ol the ma lime again setting member against longitudinal movement until turned,

and longitudinally movable shaft therefor, setting means for the shaft to hold the shaft normally against. longitudinal movement until turned, and let-otf connections controlled by the shaft.

needle protector for knitting machines comprising a contact finger, a spring pressed shaft adapted to rotate and slide, a to hold the shaft normally a bearing therefor to hold the shaft retracted until the shaft is turned by the con tact finger, and let-off connections controlled by the said shaft.

3. A. needle protector for knitting machines comprising a contact. finger, a rotary and slidable shaft, bearings for the shaft, a handle on the shaft between the bearings, a pin cn the handle, a recess in one of the bearings, and let-off connections controlled by the said shaft, substantially as described.

l. A needle protector for knitting machines comprising a frame, a cam plate and a needle protector consisting of a shaft rotatably and slidably mounted on the cam plate. and extending horizontally, having a depending ccntact finger at one end and let-otl' means connected with the shaft.

In a knitting machine a needle protector consisting of :1 depending contact linger, a horizontal shaft carrying the same, a vertically extending shaft, a catch between the two shafts to be released by the turning of the horizontal shaft, and let-elf connections controlled by the rotation of the vertical shaft, said catch including a cam shaped piece on the horizontal rock shaft and an arm on the vertical shaft engaging the same.

v(3. in a knitting l'nachine a needle protector consisting of a depending contact finger, a horizontal shaft carrying the same, a vertically extending shaft, a catch between the two shafts to be released by the turning of.

the horizontal shaft, let olt'connections controlled by the rotation of the vertical shaft, said catch including a can: shaped piece on the horizontal rock shaft and an arm on the vertical shaft engaging the same, said arm being pivotally mounted on the vertical shaft, and a spring for holding itin normal positicn, substantially as described.

7. In combination in a knittingmachine having a plurality of needle protectors, a

lct-oll', acounection thereto conunon to all.

the protectors, said connections having. a lost motion joint permitting independentoperation of the detectors, substantially as described.

8. In con'ibimttio'n in a knitting machine, a plurality of needle protectors, a shaft for cach protector, a power t 'ansmitting device for each protector, having a pin and lost motion notch to permit independent operalet-ofi', a lock to hold the let-off inactive, and

a connection between the lock and the detector means to hold the lock withdrawn when the detector means reset, substantially as described.

10. In combination with detector means, a let-0ft, a brake, a restraining member connected with the brake. a releasing'device for the restraining member connected with the detector, and a controller connected with the letoti' for holding the restraining means until after the let-oif has been released, substantially as described.-

ll. in combination with detector means, a letotl'. a brake, and a member, for locking the let-oil inactive and for setting the brake, connected with the detector to be released thereby, and a controller connected with the let off for restraining said member until the let-elf is released. said member then locking the let-oti' until the detector means is reset,

substantially as ('lcscribed.

12. In combination the let-oft clutch, a

rock shaft connected therewith, a handle for operating the rock shaft, a locking arm for the rock shaft, detector means, a detent for the locking arm to hold it in unlocked position, said detent being connected with the detector to beset in position for holding the locking arm inactive when'the detector is set, and mean controlled by the detent and acting when the locking arm is released for turning the rock shaft andthrowing the clutch out, substantially as described.

13. Incombination the let-off clutch, a brake, a rock shaft connected with the clutch, a handle for operating the rock shaft, a locking arm for the rock shaft, a detent for the locking arm, a detector with connections therefrom to the detent to, set the same in position for holding the locking arm inactive when the detector is set ready for action, means controlled b y the detent and acting when the locking arm is released for turning the rock shaft and throwing the clutch out, a connection between the locking 'arm and the brake to set the latter when the full movement of the arm takes place, and a controller for the locking arm and moving as the clutch is released, said controller arf resting the-locking arm and delaying setting the brake until the clutch is fully -re leased, substantially as described.

14. In combination a spring for throwing out said clutch, a-detector, a detector controlled detent, ajconnection between the detector a locking arm restrained thereby, a rock shaft, a connection between the rock shaft and the clutch, a connection between said locking arm and rock shaft, a supplemental let-off clutch, a main 7 and the detent,

BEST AVAILABLE cos spring for operating the arm when released to brin the main spring into play, and to set the locking arm in position to hold the letott clutch out of operation, substantially as described.

15. In combination a let-oft clutch, a main spring for throwing out said clutch, a detector, a detector controlled detent, a connection between the detector and tletent, a locking arm restrained by the detent, a rock shaft, a connection between the same and the clutch, a lost motion connection between said arm and rock shaft, a supplemental spring for operating the arm when released, to bring the main spring into play and to set the locking arm in position to hold the let-otl' clutch out of operation, substantially as described.

lt'. In combination a let-oft clutch, a main spring for throwing said clutch, a detector, a detector controlled detent, a connection between the detent and detectors, an arm restrained hv said dctent, a rocking member having a ost motion link connection with the said arm, a link connection between said rocking member and the clutch having its pivot normally to one. side of the line of strain when the clutch is set, a main spring to throw the clutch but acting normally to hold the link with its pivot in normal position with the clutch set, and a sup lemental spring connected to the arm to tirow the link to the other side of the line of strain and bring the main spring into day, and to throw the arm into position to lock the letotl released when the clutch is fully released, substantially as described.

17. In combination a let-oil clutch. a main spring for throwing said clutch, a detector, a detector controlled detent, a connection between the detector and the detent. an arm restrained by said detent, a rocking member having a lost motion link connection with the said arm, a link connection between said rocking member and the clutch having its pivot nornmlly to one side of the line of strain with the clutch set, a main spring to throw the clutch but acting normally to hold the link with its pivot in normal position when the. clutch is set, and a simplemental spring connected to the arm to throw the link to the other side of the line of strain and bring the main spring into play,and to throw the arm into position to lock the letotl' released when the clutch is fully released, substantially as described.

18. In combination a let-oft clutch, a main spring for throwing said clutch, a detector, a detector controlled detent, a connection between the detector and the detent, an arm restrained by said detent, a rocking member having a lost motion link connection with the said arm, a link connection between I said rocking member and the clutch having its pivot normally to one side of the line of strain with the clutch set, a main spring to throw the. clutch but acting normally to hold the link with its pivot in normal position with the clutch set, a supplemental string connected to the arm to throw the link to the other side of the line of strain and bring the main spring into lay, and to throw the arm into position to oek the letolt' released when the clutch is fully released, and a brake controlled by the arm, said arm being controlled by the rocking member to hold the brake oil until the clutch is re leased, substantially as described.

19. In combination in a knitting machine let-oil, a detector, a detector-controlled deteut, a connection between the detector and the detent, a rocking member consisting of a segmental disk, a clutch member connected thereto, a main spring for operating the clutch member, a locking arm connected to the rocking member for operating the same, the said detent controlling the locking arm, and a supplemental spring for applying tension to the locking arm, said locking arm engaging first the periphery of the segmental member and then its tlat side, so stantially as described.

20. In combination in a knitting machine, a detector, a let-oil clutch, a rocking incinber, aelink connection between said parts having its pivot normally above the line of strain, a brake, a brake arm having a sliding link connection with the rocking member and under tension, means including a detent for restraining the brake arm, a connection between the detector and the detent, said rocking member restraining the brake arm when released from its detent. until the clutch is released and acting therewith as a lock until the detent is reset. to restrain the same. and a main spring for releasing tllc clutch when the link pivot is thrown down below the line of strain, substantially as de scribed.

21. In combination with a knitting machinc, a detector, a clutch, a friction drive. comprising the driving and driven member. contact. shoes transmitting movement from one to the other, means for holding said contact shoes stationary to act as btnkc shoes, and connections between the detector and clutch and friction drive, said shoes maintaining their relation to the driving and driven parts while acting as drive or as brake shoes, substantially as described.

22. In combination with a knitting nmchine, a detector, a clutch, a friction drive comprisin the driving and driven members. friction S1008, one for each member, and each encircling one member and connected together to act as a power transmission member, and means for holding the said friction shoes stationary to act as brake means, and connections between the detector and said holding menus and the clutch, substantially as described.

23. In a knittin machine, a detector, a clutch, a combine drive and brake, comprising a friction drive cone, a friction driven cone, an encircling shoe for each cone, spring means for drawing the shoes toward each other, a plate or rin connected with the shoes having teeth hol ing means for arresting the cone and thus converting the drive into a brake, and connections between said detector and said holding means and the clutch, substantially as described.

24. A needle protector for knitting machines, comprising a frame, a needle protector consisting of a shaft rotatably and slidably mounted on the frame, having a contact finger at one end and let olf means controlled by the said shaft, the sliding movement carrying the contact finger away from the needles and clear of obstructions, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK WILCOMB.

\Vitnesses NINA S. Rrrrnu, Hsanna'r V. Bornn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained (or five cent: each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0. 

